RA 


807 
Y3F2S 








. * 

% °° 


✓ 

// , 

v i^r ^ 

/'^A \ 

^ t 

* 

J 6 
<5^ 

S 0 1 

H X 'o. 

•p 

A /> 

sTs? -i '-> 

o. 

A \ ^ JT//7 

//y^ •#> 


x -O' 




y V, 


iV 


y *v *, 




L-,+ 

C* y ' * C.*’ cfv #- 

°-fe.*»»■>’A* *.., % 

V * ** 

: ,$% \ . 
'*%,' y ■*’* A <* *' * *'' k' 

«% cpvirv ^ y* 

' ^ v* :< 


1 ^ 


« "W 

° /' + "•**'> * " ' ''XI'* ^ 

V r <? ^ _ v * 



v vwv ^ > % 

„ 9 a ,*o v * ^ 


<? ^ * 
§J/A r ° 

% 

aV <*■ 
v’ « 

\$&W/Y/A 7 

t 

i'l O 

A^. 

® 

•>*. 



C> y 

* «. * 0 N 0 

* 

BUx ' ^ «* 

w; ,**% 


•>* V 

-'• o <y 

o A ^ " 

^ ^ +. 



^^ C< >} -x 

,, % * y „ J .%% 

•**V AG A o°" 

v >C jfc'fj f V 

y '>• * 

» ° o 


ie-AK * -0, 

r-) ^ 

°' 1 ^ 




> a -A' ^ y o> 

A. ^ A >\l.VyV > Or O. 

^ ♦ « I 1 * ' i?' s » , * 3 N 0 5 \^ <* 

> , 9 ^ s s * A V v x * < * 0 

At * 



v’ ■; ; 

t» ^ ^y 


G 


° A> V 

aA '-^p. 

y ** V $ 

*f , , s /\ >3, y o * V * 

A /"' *£>, ,A 

' -Kg, v -? • 0 .* jss 

'o O'* f 1 ' 

5 ^ ^ 

.•.,V ,r/ /.'V'X- 1 *' v v ’«■’••, - 

A*is r v ^stekG^ ^ r - - « s 

* -<s> AV ^ 

cP k \ <c 5VW'<£rW//>7 _ ‘-y* "o - 

> - ^f %2 2 v „ -1 




v 

>1 ^ . >* W 

yV %. ^ 

^ ,7. 



ck. /- 


\ 


^ 8 1 


/► 

J 


a*5 

o 

o 

? ^ 

% 


o 

*> 


</> 





v^tg-'V 0 .. %.'*^’ * 

i * ° /? s vA v ^ s T o O’ V »A * o / 

• ^ .'yefigfc, 2 . A- a - - “ 

is® - ^ A 



/ />) O 
^ - 2 


r .p. .0 

o ^ ^ 



■~.® s . . , ^ * 0 K 0 ’ \ 

A 0 ' ''-esA. ^ V »' • 

A * *?»$% • <* > .A 

c, P> 

y % -, 

« ' 2 b n? o ^ <• „ < <p ' ‘ * 

% ° ° ,*wG, ^ 

'P\ 'oc' - - . + 

~f 

$■ Y t<. •* 

# V‘. a» 

. ^ v s 

\ •> 





















„A V * 








V v 

\V 


\ v v* 

<$■ ° 




0 


• A % - ^ x „. ... 

0° vV^'V* 1 -»* 

***■ V “ * (StfSAA - ■*b 0 < »Al -. ^ ■’bo' 

* ® ^ »- * 

+ ^UXYS^ *■» vr J. 'x. /j^r '“ - * ^WIIWX^C^ 

'o/.rT,* Vf V \W»> 0 O,- * 

. * . */> On 0 \v cS> * a -, » aU O ,y ^ .Gr Vp- 

* ■'*, «A V *"°' > .9* s 4 ’*'*^ " \> »'*", 







§1° 'A>A 

^ ^ V o WP * 

c£* o- < 


r^> 

'*<!> 

A 


% 

V ° 

A 

% 

■<* 


4 V 

,p <j> ° 

<y- o 



r- /jsS’ 



^5 ^ >- 

^ ,-r * ^ .y, j-^aV 

d - « Si!® - A> m ^MjQh c 



y v 

o o x 


-a ° Mvy; .v* i 

- . y v <y * & -a a v - ✓ 

c 0^ c c */%'' * * S ^ o^« * y \>J 0 * X V’cO N c * < <*'/ * * S 





s \ x 

• 0 V t ° ” ** ♦ - ^ A? 

nl// y^ + . U S 

$■■*+, A°a. iV *+ 

& ^2 ^Sy /IVjW %, _ y Wkll Aavv > \v fC 

& ^ <} c> y^Kys^ * \ & L *-VOU~~ ^ r\ c , 

* * 0 , ^ * 8 1 A S s 0 * T fy *% * ° s 0 v X< ^ ^ X * 0 f *^> * 8 ‘ ' \o^ 

41 t/> A X ’ ^ 

o I ^ • 

^ t» c, /- 

* .V' -'o, 

J» y 

^ o 0 M C „ 




A, r ' 'J>, /^ V ^ 

° %■ $ 

t .:z z - - - 


* * 


s s A 


o°. 


^ * 

. \ ' . , B < ~tr» J o o x ^ -aG 

t i\ N * v 1 B K f o 

' * : ° o : ^ 

> = A ^ , 

. ... > \v- ^ ^ 

O y ^Ss- 5 ^ * o . cP , 

y 5 N 0 ’ >x > 
:M^ 

1 5. - MEii^ z .' "- * 






A - v 

>> Jy * 

^ ° z ^ 

* 4^ ^A ° -!/ ...^ ... 

s s v *\ , <r 4 0 * K * ,0 

-^i> cV - V l K b *s 

op «\ v . c ^ o f\ V 

x * ^ ± ^ 0° ■ 
L ^ 3^. \\ ' &?■> '. ,-..-^2. v ,. 

^ r- * " x o o x 



o> V . 

A A< 



p.0 c- y, x, ^ s ~' <, or 

\0 O <y * n ^ Ok* ^ 

^ 'l^L'"% A ,'*», "> 



^ # ; 

~* >- - \0 o. 

^ 'A^/vlv^i v ^ y 

V *»■.. ,-'V° s 

A° - s - 

- ^ & * 

<s v 

2 ; r 




: 

As o' 

vV > 

^ A, ; 


><> » 

* A°'' 0 nc <P^'TTT''.a 

AV ,1* *. Vo A' 


> 





a- 



A \'' AL' + 'A- 




























I 








TWO LETTERS 


ON 


I 


CASES OF CURE 


AT 


FAUQUIER WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS 


BRACING, also, 


MINERAL WATERS IN GENERAL 


3c 

f\ 


BY RE 1 /. tNsTRIXGFYLLOW. 

i v* 


v’ 


r3J> Co/j-* 




4 O P “V 
0 


°' f V/ashWU^' 


> 


/2 WASHINGTON: 

/ 

PRINTED AT THE UNION OFFICE. 




1851. 





t 



■ ■* 


* 







‘*1 




l 

4 >- * 











0 


■ i k 


. . 


V 



% « 







* * - 


• : .* 


• . 


* 
































•• 


v V • * . ' . ' 

• , 


* Y : - 



















• • ' > j 5 

n 






j 

_ m 

- - 





■ 


- 






. 

, 





p 





































.) f[.Ih/rs Ilex/ fm// Hax/unr/Zon ,/J 


Q/dtd extensive and dtyd/y tmyzooed eetaddddment a) ofienedjfoz vietteid azmaaddy, on tde Yet yttne, 
and cdoeee on tde 9<ft Ojf d7ctodez. od-nv-a/idd a/te accommodated at a dd deadond. 

t • » °/ ‘ 


za. 


ddtezetojfoze, it dad deen dt^icadt accedd; ddffiut tde Q/d/exandzd and dyoidcmdwdfe dSbaidioad, notv 
zyiddy ayyzwacdtny comydetwn, toed dzttiy tzaoeddezd ^zom tde Q/idntd and ddoutd, zoitdtn J znt/ee, and 
yzdeadant conveyances ovez a ytaved zoad wtdd comydete tde tz/^z. Qdde (dddanadda djyay dd/latdtoatd, connected 
zoitd ddincdedtez dy a ddozt ydand wad, wtdd °^jf 6Z/ cyaad teznytattond to tde tndasdttants and doyou/znetd o-/ 
tde dowel vaddy, wdied tde ddentzad dddaidwad tendezd to tde tyyzez coantted. o/de dd/dayyadannoed jddlcvez, 
nozo navtyadd to tde (ddj/zzmyd, wtdd soozi de yzaced dy tde entezyztsmy steamdoat, adzed wtdd vte wit J d tde 
(ddtay dddne tn tde tianyzoztatzon Ojdfiadsenyezd j^zom odzedeitcdedazy, 33 mtded dedow. 

GOdotiottddtandmy tde di^tcudty Ojf ayywacd dezeto^oze extdtzry, azid do soon to yw/d to admodt tmeyttadded 
yacidttzed, no dddaie’uny ‘dd/dzee tn tde ccjuntzy dad, yoz a seztes oj/yeazd yadt, deen moze tde zesozt oj/ tnvadids 
and jfasdtonadde eoctety. me dea/tny yuadittes tde watezd aze zoedd estadiisdect; and dy ma,ny a,ze 

zeyazded ad tnyeztoz to nozie tn oaz county. Oddj^izdt-zate dand ojf Odduetc - yactoud dddfad/f jd/doomd and 

dddazdzd - extensive yozttcoed, andyaved zo add - a zoedd ouyydted tad/e and daz, and adzzwst evety y&cte* oy 

deyctimate amudement, unite tn dzivtny “dudd cate away',’ iodide tde c/tmate and tde zoatezd tmyzooe tde dea/td. 

o/ezms ojf doa/zd aze as ^od/ows, vex: odoz tde season, 30 doddxzs; jfoz tdzee znontdd, J3 do/daze; jfoz 
two montds, dtO doddazo; f'oz one montd, 33 t/oddazd; jfoz two zoeeds, 93 doddazs; one zoeed, 9O dodiazs; yez day , 
one dodiaz and seventy five cents ; mead and dodytny, eacd 30 cents. ddid/zen andez twedve yeazs, and seznzants, 
d/Oj /zztee GoVo edazye jfoz cdtddzen ttndet tdzee yeatd. (S/twzses. 30 cents a day, oz 90 dedtazs a montd. 
















































































TWO LETTERS 


OK 

CASES OF CURE 

AT 

FAUQUIER WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS; 

EMBRACING, ALSO, 

mineral waters in general. 


by REV. T. STRIXGFELLOW. 


Stevensburg, Culpeper, Va. } 1851. 

Brother Taylor : In 1849 I addressed you, through the Herald, a commu¬ 
nication on the subject of mineral waters in gentral; and stated, that I had so¬ 
licited of the proprietors, for publication, some cases of relief obtained at the Fau¬ 
quier White Sulphur Springs inpariioular. These cases were not furnished me 
until I visited these springs in 1850, at which time the opportunity was afforded 
me of watching, in person, the action of these waters on various forms of chronic 
suffering, and of extending the range of my information as to cases of cure 
which they had been effecting lor many years past. 

When I commenced writing out these cases in detail I was met by difficulties 
which i had not anticipated, and was for a time at a loss to know how to dis¬ 
pose ol them. In the first place, some were cases the details of which the sub¬ 
jects oi them were unwilling to have published in connexion with their names. 
Secondly, some were cases in which family objections were interposed against 
making the subjects of them known. Thirdly, some were cases in which it was 
thought medical advisers might possibly suffer in their feelings. And' in the 
fourth place, some were cases in which it was thought that comparisons with 
other springs might possibly affect the feelings of their proprietors. 

I saw but one way to avoid the three first difficulties: that was to generalize ; 
and, with the exception of a few persons now dead, to suppress the names of pa¬ 
tients and physicians altogether. Bui, in adopting this plan, I well knew the 
truthfulness of the statements would be rendered suspicious. Well, as I have no 
motive to deceive or be deceived, I have determined to make myself responsible 
(as I now do) for the address (in confidence) of every person now living that 
is referred to : or for the address of those who were vouchers for some of the ca¬ 
ses as I report them ; so that any one, feeling interest enough in the general 
facts to act upon them, may investigate their truthfulness, through the mail, as 
fully as they wish. 

Upon reflection I deem the plan of generalizing the better one, inasmuch aa 
disease has been reduced by science to what may be called families. While in 
each family it is admitted there is great variety in individual cases, yet it is con¬ 
ceded that they all make up one family, which is known by one common name- 

To medical man the right belongs of settling the category to which a par- 



» 


2 


ticular case belongs. When, therefore, an invalid ascertains Iron) men of science 
tmwhat class or family of disease his Delongs, he then wishes to know, in lead¬ 
ing a communication of this kind, whether the water has cured diseases ol that 
class or character. If it has, then a ground of hope is furnished that his may be 

I have used all the caution I could to guard against pathological mistakes. 
The cases reported received their medical character from men ol science, and 

most of them from men of eminence. » . , 

If the case noticed was a very aggravated one, or if it resisted the usual reme- 
dies, See., why, then tiiese facts are stated. This'was deemed necessary to pre¬ 
vent despair’among invalids whose cases were desperate, as well as to en- 

courage hope in cases of a milder form. _ 

With respect to the fourth difficulty, about other mineral waters failing to cure 
patients who were afterwards relieved by the Fauquier White Sulphur, it is 
enough to say that failing to cure a particular case often happens without pre¬ 
judice to the character of a water, because large numbers are cured by that wa¬ 
ter in the same class of cases. 

One of the prominent objects I have had in view has been to ascertain, as cor¬ 
rectly as I could, the various forms of chronic suffering for the cure of which 
the Fauquier White Sulphur w’ater might be looked to with confidence , and to 
ascertain also the intensity of the particular cases which I have reported as re¬ 
lieved. From all our mineral springs such information ought to be furnished 
by some one for the benefit of suffering humanity. Thousands visit them annu¬ 
ally for relief, whose object is unknown to any one connected with these estab¬ 
lishments. Many, with none to guide them in the use ol these waters, are re¬ 
lieved of hopeless maladies, and the fact remains unknown to the world. Ibis 

ought not so to be. r 

The power and adaptedness of the Fauquier W bite Sulphur water foi the cure oi 

diversified forms of chronic suffering is truly surprising, and certainly furnishes 
a rational ground of hope to thousands who are in hopeless conditions of suner- 
ing. The same is true, no doubt, of other waters, it the lact was known. 

Now r I am sure, my dear sir, that the potency of mineral waters, as indicated 
by the cases which follow, will surprise you. But when you reflect that science 
has disclosed the fact that in one gallon of mineral water there floats more than 
one hundred and fifty grains of solid active medical material, (to say nothing of 
an immense volume of the most powerful gases which are perpetuated in the 

^pry. \yy yo-pvoduction.) and that that material consists of iodine, sulphur, the 
various combinations of soda, magnesia, and other ingredients of activity and 
power, and that these waters, by a law of their own, are taken up by absorption, 
enter into the circulation, change the consistence and composition ol the fluids, 
course through the system, and apply the medical material which they hold in 
solution, to every surface and tissue, imparting natural energy to the entire oigan- 
ism, then your surprise will cease and the wonder will be why so little is known 
of them. 

The quantity and kind of gas, or of solid medical material, is shown by anal¬ 
ysis not to be the same in any two springs. In some one among them pro¬ 
vision has been made, in all probability, for relief in every form oi chronic suffer¬ 
ing. The efficiency of the Fauquier White Sulphur in so many forms of disease 
isowing to some peculiar combination in the quantity and quality of the medi¬ 
cal material and gas in the water. 

This water makes a sensible impression on all who drink it fresh from the 
spring; yet the number of patients unable to use it with profit, in its fresh state, 
is very small; indeed it is not certain that there are any ; thus showing a pecu¬ 
liar adaptedness in the water to the diseased system in its various modifications, 
which is remarkable, and which is known not to exist in some of the other 
springs. 


3 


I have classified the various cases reported, under the medical names by 
which the diseases are generally known. In this way they can be the more 
readily referred to by those interested in examining the list. I begin with 
dyspepsia, because it is by far the most common form of chronic suffering on 
the Atlantic side of the Union. I have selected out of an untold multitude of 
cases of this disease a few only; they are cases of prominent individuals. I 
selected the cases of such individuals because, in the first place, they had every 
advantage in securing the best medical aid ; and, in the second place, they were 

* individuals who had the disease in such intensity as to baffle the best efforts 
which science could make for their relief. 

As the character of all these cases was settled by the medical profession, and 
as the inefficiency of the highest skill to effect relief in their cases was dem¬ 
onstrated, it seemed reasonable to suppose that there was an adaptedness and 
power in the water to cure this disease in its most intense form, and in its most 
hopeless stages—and if in its most intense form and hopeless stages, then, 
certainly, in its milder forms and less hopeless stages. 

In some of these cases functional derangement appeared to predominate in 
the nervous system ; in others, in the liver; in others, in the stomach, bowels, 
or kidneys; but all yielded alike to the action of the water. 

I took some pains to gather what may be called public opinion as to the 
adaptedness and power of this water to cure dyspepsia ; and so far as I could 
ascertain, there was, among intelligent men from all sections of the Union, who 
had enjoyed opportunities and witnessed its effects, but one opinion—and that 
was, that it would certainly cure dyspepsia if fairly tried. 

DYSPEPSIA. 

Case 1 si. —The first case I will notice of this disease was one that perhaps 
could not be surpassed in intensity. It had baffled the highest skill of the 
Union for some years. The subject was Mr. Lawrence, (now dead) principal 
of the Rappahannock Academy. He had tasted flesh, previous to his arrival at 
the springs, but once in three years, and that a piece of mutton, which threw 
him into spasms. His suffering was very exquisite. His flesh had wasted 
away ; his digestive powers were barely sufficient to preserve life. 

He was brought to the Fauquier White Sulphur Springs, and used the water. 
In a very few days he was the subject of appetite; relieved of pain; digesting 
his food well; sleeping sweetly; and in two months had gained forty pounds in 
weight, and possessed the physical energy which led him to prefer, in returning 
home, a walk of forty miles on foot, that he might show his friends in Fred¬ 
ericksburg that he was well, sooner than to return in a carriage or on horse¬ 
back. 

Case 2d. —The second case ofdyspepsiathatl will notice is that of Mr. Waldie, 
of Philadelphia, (author of “The Library.”) He was the subject of this disease 
in its most hopeless form. All that skill could do in that city of medical fame 
was done to restore him. According to his own statement, the remedies used 
did not prove to be even palliatives. 

He came to the Fauquier White Sulphur, used the water, and began at 
once to improve. Food was soon gratefully received ; the nervous system soon 

* became quiet; rest proved to be refreshing; strength went up rapidly ; an equal 
circulation was soon obtained; the secretive organs soon performed their 
functions well; the energizing and alterative power of the water triumphed, 
and before he was well aware of it he was in health, and so remained. 

Case 3d. —The third case is that of a lady, who, soon after her marriage, in a 
state of fine health, became a dyspeptic, and in many other respects the subject of 
great physical derangement. An eminent physician gave her his constant at- 


4 


tention; and, in addition, consulted with the most eminent skill ol the Union 
as to the best course to be pursued for her recovery. It was all unavailing; 
and the conviction was forced upon her medical adviser that human means 
could not save her. He then advised a trial of Fauquier White Sulphur water. 
She was brought to the springs, and her physician, upon her arrival, assured 
the superintendents that if she had slept five minutes in three weeks, it was 
not known to any human being. One glass of the water was given her on 
the evening of her arrival; in twenty minutes after drinking it. she was in a sweet 
.sleep, from which she did not awake until the next morning. From that time # 
she suffered very little distress of any kind ; in less than a month she was, to all 
appearance, in health, returned home, and the first drink of common water she 
took threw her into spasms; she returned to the springs again—was at once 
relieved—and, to confirm her health, remained at the springs for some time. 
She then returned home again, and has enjoyed fine health ever since a pe¬ 
riod of several years. 

Case 4th .—The subject of this notice was a female, twelve years old, the 
daughter of an eminent physical], of enviable reputation as a man. In describ¬ 
ing her case he says: “She was of cheerful temper and active nabit, having 
previously enjoyed good health;” that “in the summer of 1834 she was attacked 
■with symptoms of dyspepsia;” that, “for some months the disease made but tit¬ 
tle progress,” and that he “flattered himself,” during this time, “ that her age, 
a good constitution, with the usual palliatives, would soon restore her to health; 
but that,” after this, “the disease made fearful progress; ’ that “ flatulence, op¬ 
pression, and pain in the stomach, were always present after eatingthat 
“ emaciation and depression of spirits kept pace with the otner symptoms; 
that several” of the most eminent “ physicians were consulted. That carmi- 



•stomach without producing great agony ; that everything solid or fluid, whether 
medicine or food, was equally certain to produce this effect ; that her suffering 
became so extreme, she determined to starve herself to death ; that this design 
was counteracted by nourishing enema, until she was persuaded to try food 
again; that, after this, large doses of the tincture of Valerian sweet oil and 
paregoric rendered a little food tolerable, until slie was taken to the I auquier 
White Sulphur Springs; that her arrival made an impression upon all who 
saw her, that will never be forgotten.” He says, in conclusion, “her conva¬ 
lescence was immediate and rapid ; that in a few weeks she returned home 
free from disease, and continues in the enjoyment of excellent health.” 4 his 
.statement was made three years after her recovery. 

Case 5th .—The subject of this notice is a gentleman well known at the 
Fauquier White Sulphur Springs, He was afflicted with what his physician 
called liver complaint, for twelve years. After the first five or six years they 
frequently called it dyspepsia. He employed in ail ten physicians; and the 
most of them were gentlemen distinguished for medical skill. During all this 
period he was wasting away, and became more and more diseased in his general 
system. His stomach would scarcely re&eive or retain food enough to keep 
him alive. He was a great sufferer in various forms. Nothing administer¬ 
ed by his physicians made any impression, whatever, on the disease. He was 
providentially led to use Fauquier White Sulphur water, and felt improvement 
immediately; he continued its use, and was soon well, and continues, after the 
ilapse of several years, as fine a specimen of health as can be found in any coun¬ 
try. This gentleman, for several years, could span his thigh with one hand; 
but soon after commencing to use the water he received an accession of fifty- 
two pounds of flesh. This case originated in, or rather followed;, 1 a severe attack 
bilious fever. 


- i f» f fT"* 


Case 6th .—This is a case which was reported to me by a gentleman of great 
intelligence and of the highest respectability. He witnessed the cure many 
years ago ; and although lie could not remember the name of the subject, yet, 
such was the condition of the patient, and the impression made upon his mind by 
the cure, that he urged me to publish.the general facts. The subject of the cure 
was a youth of about eighteen, of the county of Prince William, brought to the 
Fauquier White Sulphur Springs by his mother, who was a lady of intelligence, 
and who had availed herself of the best medical assistance in behalf of her son 
without any benefit. He says that such was the emaciation of this young man, 
that his mother handled him in her arms as an infant, and that of all the hope¬ 
less cases he had ever seen, this was the most hopeless. He drank the water, 
and in something like a month he was restored to perfect health. 

Case 1th .—This is the case of a medical gentleman from a neighboring State, 
who threw the whole weight of his influence, and all the advantages of his ex¬ 
quisite taste and architectural skill, into the lovely arrangement which has been 
since made at this spring for the gratification and comfort of its visitors. This 
gentleman, after years of suffering, which bid defiance to medical skill, was 
accidentally brought to this spring. It was before the present arrangements were 
made for the accommodation of the public. To be brief—he drank the water, 
and in three or four weeks was made whole. In this short time, from a walking 
skeleton he became a fin^-looking man, and continued the subject of excellent 
health. 

Case Silt .—The subject now referred to is a young lady about sixteen years of 
age. When she arrived at the springs she had been the subject of special med¬ 
ical attention for upwards of five months without the slightest benefit. During 
all this time her stomach had invariably ejected the food of each meal. In va¬ 
rious ways she was the subject of great physical derangement. The prospect of 
her recovery was gloomy indeed. From the fifth day after commencing to use 
the water her stomach retained the food she ate : in a month she was in perfect 
health, and so remains. 

Case 9th .—The subject now referred to was a young gentleman of cultivated 
mind and delicate constitution, who had been the subject of dyspepsia for sev¬ 
eral years. He had sought relief at the hands of eminent men, and also at 
several watering-places. The year he visited the Fauquier White Sulphur 
Springs he grew much worse, and previous to his visit was induced, by the ad¬ 
vice of a very distinguished medical friend, to submit once more to medical 
treatment. Instead of improvement, however, vitality diminished rapidly 
under the treatment, and every indication was discouraging in the extreme. 
He w as then prevailed on to visit the Fauquier White Sulphur. He drank 
the water, and in less than two weeks it was diffused through his system, and 
its alterative power was visible ; he 


grew weaker 


and 


O 

worse, 


as he thought. 

and but for the judgment of others would have left the springs. Vitality, how¬ 
ever, suddenly waked up after that time, and he gained in weight, in one day, 
one and a half pound ; for several days he gained at the same rate in flesh, 
and in all other respects in proportion. He left the springs at the end of about 
three weeks in a course of rapid improvement, but certainly too soon to reap the 
advantages of a longer stay. In this case the want of medical science at our 
watering-places was clearly exhibited. But for the light science sheds upon the 
action of remedies, his life, no doubt, would have been sacrificed to his mista¬ 
ken opinion, that he was getting worse—while, in truth, a cure was progressing 
rapidly under the alterative action and vatalizing energy of the water. 

Case 10 t/i .—This case was complicated—dyspeptic symptoms predominated. 
The subject was a lady about fifty years of age, with a thin breast, narrow 
chest; very bad cough, slight but frequent haemorrhages, stricture across the 
chest, soreness of the bronchial vessels; much emaciated; digestive organs 


6 


much deranged. She visited the springs for the benefit of fresh air, and change 
of place—supposing sulphur water was improper in her case. She was induced, 
however, to use the water, (but very sparingly in the outset.) Improvement 
commenced immediately; she soon parted with all her ills, and returned home 
a cheerful, happy, and healthy-looking lady. 

Casellth .—The eleventh and last case in this category which I will report, is 
that of an intelligent and respectable gentleman about forty years of age. He 
had been the subject of medical treatment for dyspepsia until his physicians 
despaired of success. He was then advised to visit one of our mineral springs. • 
He did so, but grew worse, and in despair he started home to die. On his re¬ 
turn he passed the Fauquier White Sulphur, and was prevailed on by his 
friends to rest for a day and try the water. He was much emaciated; his ner¬ 
vous system fearfully deranged; his sleep, for three months, was but a state of 
distraction; and great irritation existed in some important organs. For months 
he had loathed food of every kind. On the evening of his arrival he drank half 
a glass of water; it quieted his nerves, and gave him a sweet and refreshing 
night’s rest. He concluded to remain the next day, and drank in the course of 
the day three half-glasses of the water. His nerves became composed ; the 
irritation in his system subsided; a slight sensation of appetite was expe¬ 
rienced, and a small portion of food was received with profit. For a few days 
he gradually increased his quantity of water, until he reached in all three 
glasses per day. He improved in all respects rapidly. He then took two 
glasses of water at once, supposing that if one helped him so much, two would 
do more. It distracted his nervous system instantly, and he verily believed he 
was worse than ever; but abstaining from the further use of the water for that 
day, his system became composed again. He then used three glasses per day, 
and gained rapidly until tempted a second time to use a double quantity, which 
threw his nervous system into perfect derangement a second time. After this 
excessive portion escaped, he was prudent, and gained rapidly while he re¬ 
mained at the springs ; but unfortunately he left in a very short time. It was 
done with an intention of returning again, but he relapsed soon after getting 
home, and the loss of a valuable life was the consequence. 

DROPSY. 

I felt anxious to ascertain the degree of encouragement held out by the Fau¬ 
quier White Sulphur water in dropsies, and having been enabled to learn with 
certainty the character of the following cases, and the result of its use in each, 

I will give the information to the public—omitting others not less remarkable. 

Case 1st .—This is a case which vYas given to the public by the subject of it 
many years ago. It is the case of the late Hon. Benjamin Watkins ^Leigh, of 
Richmond, Virginia. This gentleman was known to the nation and to the 
world. In the midst of his honors and usefulness he was attacked with dropsy. 
All that skill could do was tried in vain. He was brought to the Fauquier 
White Sulphur when very low. He arrived in a snow storm. During his 
whole stay the weather was wet and cold. After using the water about two 
weeks he found his bandage getting looser; it was drawn up tighter; it soon 
become loose a second time, and was tightened again ; and so, in a very im¬ 
perceptible manner, the dropsical water was known to be escaping. In about 
four weeks he felt well enougn to return home, but was not entirely well. The 
cure, however, progressed, according to his own published statement, until in a 
short time he was perfectly relieved from the disease. 

Case 2d —This case is that of a lady of the highest respectability, in the county 
of Fauquier. She was the subject of dropsy, and of a highly diseased condition 
of the kidneys. Her suffering was very great. She had the best medical ad- 


7 


visers. 1 hey taxed their skill perseveringly until all hope of being able to re¬ 
lieve her was extinguished, and one of them was deputed to tell her husband so. 
She then tried the Fauquier White Sulphur. Improvement commenced imme¬ 
diately, and progressed steadily, until she was restored to perfect health, which 
took place in a short time. The following year she experienced a slight attack 
of hoemorrhage of the kidneys, which by two weeks’ use of the water was en 
tirely removed ; and until this day—a period of some fifteen years—she has rc 
mained a specimen of perfect health. 

Case 3 d. —The third case is that of Mrs. Robert Mackey, of Fredericksburg 
(now no more.) Hers was a very hopeless case; the collection of water was 
very great. She used the water of the Fauquier White Sulphur a little over two 
weeks before any decided impression was made on the disease ; but that im¬ 
pression, when made, was a remarkable one; in one or two hours several gal¬ 
lons of water were dislodged. In about one month from that time she left the 
springs perfectly cured. 

Case 4th. —The fourth case is that of a lady of the highest respectability, in the 
immediate neighborhood of the springs. After a patient and persevering effort 
by eminent medical gentlemen to relieve her, (until hope on their part was 
extinguished,) she was induced to use the Fauquier White Sulphur water, 
(brought to her in bottles.) Improvement commenced immediately, and pro¬ 
gressed without intermission until she was restored to perfect health. I know 
of no finer specimen of health than she now is, after a lapse of some sixteen or 
eighteen years. 

Case 5th. —This is the case of a distinguished lady from the State of Maine. 
She was about fifty years of age ; had survived an attack of dropsy about twenty 
years before, from which the skill of the profession relieved her; but an effort 
of five or six months had demonstrated in this attack the utter impotency of the 
highest skill of the Union to do her the least'good. She came to the Fauquier 
White Sulphur; used the water; felt a comforting influence at once; in two 
weeks a decided impression was made on the disease; in a few weeks more 
she was in perfect health, which she still enjoys. 

Case 6th. —This was a worthy man, in the humbler walks of life, who had been 
under the constant attention of a distinguished medical gentleman for five 
months—who, perceiving that he could not arrest the disease, advised his pa¬ 
tient to try the Fauquier White Sulphur water. This man was about the meridian 
of life, and of good constitution. In something less than two weeks a large 
deposite of granular matter, as if tinged with blood, was discharged from the 
kidneys; from this time the dropsical water was perceptibly escaping; the 
symptoms rapidly improving; and in about two weeks more he considered 
himself well. But surely it is great imprudence to leave the springs in such a 
case until a cure is confirmed—when there is something like certainty that it 
will be realized. 

Case 1th. —The subject now referred to is a gentleman of great respectability, 
who was considered by all his acquaintances to be in a dropsy—yet he refused 
to employ science. The gentleman who reported this case to me is one among 
the most amiable, intelligent, and respectable gentlemen in the State. He 
stated that such was his solicitude for the subject of this notice—who was his 
particular friend—that he used all his influence to induce him to visit the Fau¬ 
quier White Sulphur Springs. He succeeded in doing so. The patient 
remained at the springs, and used the water but five days—being com¬ 
pelled, as he thought, by the state of hi% business, to leave at that time. 
The gentleman who vouches for this case stated to rue that improvement 
commenced with the first drink of the water—went on rapidly during the five 
days of his stay, and progressed after leaving the springs, until in a very short 
time he was entirely relieved of all symptoms of the disease. 


8 


Case 8th. —This is the case of a lady about fifty-five years of age. When 
she reached the springs—having none to guide her—she drank the water too' 
freely. It salivated her and made her very sick. She determined to leave as 
soon as well enough; but was afterwards induced to remain, and try the water 
in more moderate quantities. She then mended very rapidly, and soon thought 
herself well enough to leave the springs, and did so, contrary to the earnest en¬ 
treaty of all her friends. She relapsed, and then returned to the springs, and 
in a course of hopeful improvement left again ; and in returning home was 
overtaken in a storm, took cold, relapsed, and died. T his and other similar 
cases should admonish all who seek health at mineral waters to be patient and 
persevering in the course they pursue to obtain it. 

DISEASES OF THE KIDNEYS. 

For diseases of the kidneys some of the Alleghany springs are looked to as 
being peculiarly adapted. I was particular in searching for reliable information 
as to the action of the Fauquier White Sulphur water in this form of suffering. 

Case Ist. —The first case which I will report is that of a gentleman well 
known in the city of Richmond. In addition to a disease of the kidneys, he 
Jiad a weak breast, and was threatened with consumption. For this reason, his 
medical advisers were afraid for him to use sulphur water ; but being hopeless 
of relief, after persevering efforts had been made in his behalf by medical skill, 
he visited the Fauquier White Sulphur Springs, and in a very short time was 
the happy recipient of a perfect and abiding cure. 

Case 2 d. —The subject now referred to is a gentleman of high standing and 
intelligence, who has been favorably known in our public councils, and of the 
most sterling integrity and conscientiousness. He is about fifty years of age.. 
He informed me that for many years his kidneys had been diseased ; that he had 
had frequent and violent attacks, attended with great pain ; that deposites of 
blood and corruption were discharged in these attacks ; that they were soon 
followed by inflammation and fever; that medical skill had furnished palliatives, 
and nothing more; that, in the intervals between his attacks, aching and dis¬ 
tress (more or less severe) were always present; that, on his first visit, twenty- 
four hours’ use of the Fauquier White Sulphur water entirely relieved him from 
all sense of the disease ; that subsequent attacks had been few and far between ; 
that they had abated in intensity at each subsequent paroxysm ; and what is 
most remarkable, the water entirely relieved each attack in two hours from the 
first drink. Another remarkable fact in his case is this, that he never used the 
water more than one day at any one visit to the Fauquier White Sulphur Springs. 

Case 3 d. —This is the case of a gentleman venerable for age, and distin¬ 
guished through life by public honors and private virtues. He informed me that 
his life had been prolonged and made comfortable many years by the Fauquier 
White Sulphur water for a hoemorrhage of the kidneys. 

Case 4 th. —This is the case of a gentleman of intelligence and the strictest 
integrity. He informed me that, for years, he was the subject of constant dis¬ 
ease, attended with painful sensations in the kidneys and kindred organs; that 
medical treatment had afforded no palliation to the distress. He used the 
Fauquier White Sulphur water ; was very soon relieved entirely, and has felt 
nothing of the disease since—a period of several years. 

Case 5th. —This is the case of a lady of distinction, who had been previously 
relieved of the dropsy by the Fauquier White Sulphur water. About one year 
alter her recovery from the dropsy, she was attacked with a hoemorrhage of the 
kidneys. The use of the water a short time entirely relieved her, and she has 
been distinguished for tho best of health ever since—now a period of several 
years. 


9 


\ 


CHRONIC DIARRLHEA. 

This is a form of disease not very common, but often very unmanageable. 

I was gratified to learn that cases of the worst type had been submitted°to the 
action ot the Fauquier White Sulphur water, and that the result was most grat¬ 
ifying. 

Case 1st. —The first case which I will report was that of a gentleman of about 
sixty-five years of age, of good constitution, and belonging to one of the old 
and venerable families ot our State. He was attacked with dysentery, which 
ran on for something like a year, when it assumed the form of chronic diarrhoea. 
In this form it ran on for the next six months. During this period he was in 
the hands of eminent medical men. His physicians, unable to arrest the pro¬ 
gress ot the disease, called to their aid the highest skill that could be command¬ 
ed. The result was/'a conviction that, in a very few days (at most ten) the 
patient must die. Just at this stage he was brought to the Fauquier White 
Sulphur Springs, in the month of August. He used the water; imabout two- 
weeks a decided impression was made on the system; in about two weeks 
more the patient was well, and has so remained for several years. 

Case 2 d .—This was a respectable gentleman now living—a member also of 
one of our old and venerable families—who was about seventy years of a^e at 
the t me. After the disease was well defined, and science had labored in vain 
to effect relief, and all hope of recovery was abandoned on the part of his phy¬ 
sicians, he was brought by their advice to the Fauquier White Sulphur Springs 
in the month of February. He used the water; in the first two weeks his sys¬ 
tem fully acknowledged its alterative power; in two weeks more he was well, 
and so remains after a lapse of several years. 

Case 3 d .—This is the case of a man in moderate circumstances, but of amiable 
character. He was the subject of chronic diarrhoea in its most virulent form. 
Early in the spring of the year—when very low—he was brought to the Fau¬ 
quier White Sulphur Springs. He used the water. For about two weeks its 
alterative power was manifested, but with much discouragement to the patient, 
until its energizing influence began to be felt; after which, in two weeks more, 
he was made whole, and so remains after a period of several years. 

Case ith .—This is the case of a young gentleman of cultivated mind, belonging 
to one of the first families of the State. In the judgment of science, he was 
the subject of chronic inflammation of the stomach. For six years the disease 
had increased in intensity. For the last year of the six he had had constant 
diarrhoea. He sought relief from medical skill, and from the water of nearly all 
the celebrated mineral springs of the State, without any improvement what¬ 
ever. He came to the Fauquier White Sulphur. In a short time he was 
restored to health. Between that visit and the next season his health was very 
slightly interrupted. He then used the water a second time, and has been in 
perfect health ever since, although his disease was a constitutional inheritance 
from his father, who died of it after seeking relief from the highest skill, and 
from all the celebrated springs of his day. 

FEMALE COMPLAINTS. 

The effect of the Fauquier White Sulphur water on such derangements of the 
female system as often baffle the highest skill of the profession, is truly grati¬ 
fying. To see the lovely buds of spring, just as they begin to shed their 
fragrance upon the surrounding atmosphere, and the trees of autumn, just as 
they have borne their full crops of rich fruit, sicken and die, in spite of all the 
attention which skill and experience can render, is painful in the extreme. I 
will only add that I have been favored with testimony the most unquestionable, 




10 


that the Fauquier White Sulphur water acts like a charm in aiding nature 
speedily to accommodate herself to the intentions of the great Architect of the 
human system. Thousands would resort to these waters were they butappiized 
of their alterative power and vitalizing energy. 

SCHIRROUS AFFECTIONS. 

It is fortunate for our race that schirrous affections are not more common. 
There are few, if any, which awaken greater sympathy among friends, or 
occasion more exquisite suffering among the afflicted. 

To those who are thus called to suffer, or to sympathize, it is not a small 
matter to be assured that the Fauquier White Sulphur water has been subjected 
to the severest tests in this form of suffering; and that it has won for itself, 
under such trials, a reputation as a therapeutic, that must, when known, awaken 
gratitude, and especially as the other springs (as [ am informed by high 
authority) are positively injurious in this disease. A ery prominent cases can 
be referred*to by any who may wish to inquire further. 

CHRONIC THRUSH. 

I was anxious to ascertain the effects of the Fauquier White Sulphur water on 
Ibis form of disease. 1 am able to report but one case. It is the case of a 
lady. She was for a number of years the subject of this disease. Under 
medical treatment she found, for a time, temporary relief; but at length the 
disease became more alarming, and defied the efforts of science. Her last 
physician was eminent in his profession. He finally told her he could not 
relieve her, and advised a trial of the Fauquier White Sulphur water. Con¬ 
sumption had been the scourge of her family, and she had been, and then was, 
alarmingly threatened with it. She was afraid of the water, but finally tried it 
as a last resort. She was very soon well; and from being for many years 
- emaciated and very delicate, soon became as fine a specimen of health as I 
-ever saw. 

BRONCHIAL AFFECTIONS. 

During my last visit to the Fauquier White Sulphur, an affection of this kind 
connected with dyspepsia, which had defied medical treatment and mineral 
water, was greatly relieved by this water, and with perseverance for a reasonable 
length of time, would, I am sure, have been perfectly cured. So little has been 
done to preserve a knowledge of the result of this water in this and various 
other forms of suffering, that I could not get such information as would enable 
me to report cases, though I felt assured that many had been cured in different 
Ibrms ot chronic suffering that are not mentioned in this communication. 

CHRONIC RHEUMATISM. 

The Fauquier White Sulphur water, drank and used as a warm bath, is to be 
Belied on as much, perhaps, as any other water in this distressing affection. I 
witnessed its effects with admiration and pleasure. 

SNAKE BITES. 

^ ne distressing effects ot the poison injected into the human system by snake 
tntes, is sometimes productive of great suffering for many summers. The 
-Fauquier White Sulphur water has been resorted to in such cases, and furnished 



11 

entire relief in a very short time. This is supported by testimony of the highest 
respectability. 3 

The eflect of poison oak, also, has been promptly cured by drinking the water, 
and applying poultices made with the water. 

AFFECTIONS OF THE LUNGS. 

Tubercular consumption is not.considered to be curable, but a great deal 
passes for consumption that is admitted to be curable. Various cases supposed 
to be consumption have been entirely and speedily relieved by the Fauquier 
White Sulphur water. Cases of this kind, and of a very hopeless type, have 
been cured by the use of this water almost as far back as the memory of man 
reaches. 

IRRUPTIONS OF THE SKIN. 

f 

Tetter in its worst form, and other irruptions of the skin, have yielded very 
readily to the action of this water, and especially when used externally as well 
as internally. 

i 

EFFECTS OF THE WATER UPON PERSONS FROM THE TIDE-WATER REGIONS OF 

VIRGINIA. 

I was struck with what seemed to be a peculiar effect of this water on per 
sons apparently in health from the tide-water regions of the State. It appeared 
to act as a specific on their liver and skin, throwing out bile in considerable 
quantities from the liver, and a large amount of purulent matter through the 
skin. During the escape of this matter, and through these organs, debility pre¬ 
vailed, and subsequently the system was toned up with astonishing rapidity. 

CONCLUDING REMARKS. 

I would remark, in conclusion, that many grains of allowance must be made 
for the opinion entertained by two classes of men as to mineral waters. Dr. 
Hervey remarked, I think, that no medical man in England who was above the 
age of forty at the time he made his discovery, ever admitted its truthfulness as 
to the circulation of the blood. There was another, but a much more numerous 
class, who regarded it as a humbug, simply because they took their opinions of it 
from those skeptics. Investigation went on, however, until the truthfulness of 
the discovery was universally admitted. In our own country there are men of 
scientific attainments and great conscientiousness, who can neither seethe fact nor 
admit the theory that mineral water cures disease. But others of the first attain¬ 
ments in the profession are beginning to endorse with pleasure and confidence 
the assertion of the distinguished Dr. Armstrong, who says: “ I dare pledge 
my word that if they be only fully and fairly tried, they will be found amongst 
the most powerful agents which have ever been brought to the relief of human 
maladies.” 

Now, my dear sir, if a blind empiricism in the use of mineral water, and an 
unchecked indulgence of the appetite under its highly stimulating power (which 
often takes place,) give results such as I have detailed, what might not be ex¬ 
pected if used under the direction and control of scientific men, stationed at 
these invaluable fountains to study their action, ascertain their power, and guide 
the invalid in their use ? 

Before I conclude this communication I will give some direction as to how 
the traveller is to reach the Fauquier White Sulphur Springs. 

If Richmond, in Virginia, is made a point for the southern traveller, then two 


12 


routes may be pursued by him in reaching the springs : one dv Fredericks urg, 
and thence by stages, a distance of forty miles, to the springs; the other, by 
railroad and steamboat to Alexandria or Washington, thence by stages to t c 

springs, a distance of forty or fifty miles. 

From Fredericksburg the springs are reached in the same time by erfner of 
these routes. The passenger who arrives in Fredericksburg in the day will 
have to remain all night if lie uses the stage from that place to the spiings. If 
he goes on from Fredericksburg to Alexandria or Washington, he will be ready 
to start at the same time the next morning, and will reach the springs the same 
hour the next day with the Fredericksburg stage. 

If the northern naveller makes Washington or Alexandria a point, then the 
springs will be reached from these points in one day by stages. 

A railroad with lateral branches will soon be finished from W ashington to 
Charlottesville and Richmond, which will pass very near the springs. It will 
then be in the power of the enfeebled invalid, north or south, east or west, by 
railroad and steamboat, to reach these springs without fatigtie in a very short time. 

Hoping the information I have attempted to furnish will be of some use in 
guiding the afflicted to sources of relief provided by the immediate hand of our 
Great Benefactor, , 

I remain yours, 

THORNTON STR1NGFELLOW. 


Communicated for the Religious Herald. 


MINERAL SPRINGS OF VIRGINIA. 


, Stevejxseurg, 1849. 

My Dear Brother Taylor : For many years it has been your delight to 
contemplate the goodness of God. The most glorious manifestation of his 
goodness is seen in the provision he has made for the moral maladies of our 
race. Diversified as the effects of sin are seen to be in the various tempera¬ 
ments of the human family, yet the remedy is of such efficacy that, under its in¬ 
fluence, the lion and the lamb are made to lie down together. Every modifica¬ 
tion of enmity against God ca;j be controlled by it, and all hearts brought under 
its influence can be made one in Christ Jesus. 

The next most impressive source of his goodness is the provision he has 
made for the relief ot our physical maladies. What is wealth and all its attend¬ 
ant blessings when health is gone? and how impressive when fever rages, when 
pain distracts, when universal disorder threatens the citadel of life, to realize 
the goodness of God in providing for us some controlling agent that can vitalize 
the sinking energies, re-establish order in the deranged economv, and restore 
to us again the feelings of health and comfort. 

But of late years I have been pained in contemplating an immense amount 
of sufieiing in our country, for the relief of which the healing art has discovered 
no remedy, and the number of such sufferers is painfully on the- increase. 
Persons of all ages ana habits are found in considerable numbers in every local¬ 
ity, who know not what it is to breathe.jn comfort; and, what is worse, they, are 
strangers to the hope inspired by medical science or skill, that they can ever 
again enjoy the pleasure which health gives. It has seemed impossible, of late 
years, to secure for our offspring, under any system of training, more than a 
moiety of penect physical development; and it originates in causes which we 
can neither detect nor control. For many years I have been in that class of 
unfortunate sufferers, for whose relief science holds out no hope. My sympaf 
thies, therefore, have been keenly enlisted in behalf of all such : and I am no doubt 
m a condition *o be doubly impressed with any special manifestation of the 







13 


Divme goodness to this class of suffering humanity. During the past summer I 
was led to try the virtue of remedies prepared immediately by the hand of 
God—J mean our mineral waters. While using them at different fountains, I 
was associated with many of various ages and modifications of physical derange¬ 
ment, who, like myself, were strangers to the hope inspired by remedies which 
were known to relieve. Under such circumstances to witness prompt relief, as. 
I did in many instances, to sufferer^ deemed hopeless in the walks of science, 
left on my mind an impression of the Divine goodness never before realized. 
To be silent, therefore, while so many hopeless sufferers are strangers to this 
merciful provision of a gracious God, would be sin. It ought to be made 
known. Jesus has connected with the cure of the soul a knowledge of the 
remedy, and to proclaim the remedy is a first duty of every spiritual beneficiary. 
The physical beneficiary should leel an obligation to proclaim the only remedy 
known on earth, capable of relieving so large an amount of physical suffering 
as now crowds around us on every hand. I think that more than half the suf¬ 
fering of our country is of a character which men of science and skill regard as 
beyond the reach of remedies known to the medical profession. For this class 
of sufferers our mineral waters hold out hope. • 

Now, as you are led by the duties of your office to mingle with society over 
half the States of our Union ; as you have a heart practised to benevolence ; as 
you daily witness forms of suffering, among friends as well as strangers, for which 
science lias discovered no remedy, let me entreat you to make known to these 
hopeless sons and daughters of affliction the provision God has made for th© re¬ 
lief of their maladies, In our highly favored commonwealth the Lord has dis¬ 
played his goodness in their behalf on a grand scale. It would seem as if he 
designed, at some future clay, to congregate in this mother of States the invalids 
of the world to taste his love and to proclaim his praise. 

Actual experience shows that virtue has been infused, by the Almighty baud, 
into the mineral waters of our State, which, if skilfully used and called into re¬ 
quisition in due time, would make them equal to the cure of perhaps every form 
of chronic suffering known among us. 

These healing waters gush forth from the laboratory of God in three separate 
and distinct mountain ranges of this good old commonwealth. The most nu¬ 
merous cluster of fountains is that in the Alleghany or western range. Around 

the 



of springs is that found in the Blue Ridge or middle range ot mountains; there is 
quite a number of springs that are improved for tjie accommodation ofthe public 
in this range. The last cluster of springs is that found around the White Sul¬ 
phur, in Fauquier county. Within twenty miles of this tastily improved fount¬ 
ain there are some twelve other springs known to myself, and how many more 
I know not. 

*2 Some fountains in the A leghany range are considered most potent in partic¬ 
ular forms of disease. Those in the middle or Blue Ridge range are winning ce¬ 
lebrity every day, as their sanative powers are developed. The fountains which 
have been tested by experience on the eastern range, combine in an eminent 
degree the qualities of both the others. 

The adaptedness of any one of these various fountains fertile cure of particular 
forms of disease has been ascertained by experience, and in no other way. While 
science has labored, and with great success, to ascertain their saline and gase¬ 
ous contents, yet the reason why they cure is a mystery, because science has 
discovered nothing, either in their saline or gaseous contents, that will account tor 
the cures they daily effect. 


14 


Experience testifies that none ofthem are adapted to the cure of acute dis¬ 
ease, and that ail of them are adapted to the cure of chronic disease. 

How they act upon the human system, and why failures take place among 
those who seek relief in the curable classes of sufferers, has been for years the 
subject of close observation by a few scientific men residing at some of the 
springs in the Alleghany range. In conducting these observations, much valu¬ 
able knowledge has been gained as to the best plan of securing the benefit 
which these waters are capable of affording. 

These scientific observers have ascertained that some patients, for whose 
relief these waters are adapted, are positively injured by using them improperly; 
some by using an excessive quantity, others by using them at improper times. 
They have ascertained that certain conditions of the system unfit it for their 
profitable reception, and that these conditions can be removed by other known 
agents, and the system thereby prepared for their profitable use. They have 
ascertained that the power of these waters can never be fully realized until the 
water is taken up and fully incorporated with the fluids of the body, without 
being allowed to make a local escape. They have ascertained that there is no 
other agent known that equals them as an alterative. And in addition to this 
fact, they have ascertained that as they put forth their alterative power, they inva¬ 
riably build up the physical energy of the system at the same time. Hence you 
will see the debt of gratitude we owe those skilful and patient observers, not 
only for light to guard us against the great abuse which has so long prevailed in 
the use of mineral waters, but to guide us in their use to the highest sanitary 
results. There are but a very few of our mineral springs at which men of 
science have stationed themselves to watch their effects—to guide in their use, 
and to guard against their abuse. At the most of them an empirical use of the 
water still prevails, without any science, enlightened by experience, to guide it, 
or any individual to give the least instruction in the use of the water. The re¬ 
sult is most unfortunate. An invalid often encounters much fatigue and anxiety 
to reach a watering-place ; the mere excitement occasioned by this effort unfits 
his system, for the time, to receive with impunity one drop of the water; and 
at once, having no one to guide him, and without preparation, he drinks a 
quart or more, supposing that the more he drinks the better. The effect of this 
imprudence is a conviction on his mind that the water does not suit his case. 
He goes to another spring, and the same result takes place ; he is discouraged, 
and returns home in despair to die. Great numbers of such cases occur every 
year with invalids whose condition is one that the water is perfectly adapted to 
relieve, provided it was properly used. Where the virtue resides, whether in 
the saline contents or in the gases, or in both, is, with men of science on the 
spot, an unsettled question. 

These waters, when taken up into the general system, diffuse, very imper¬ 
ceptibly, a vitalizing influence, which by degrees equalizes the circulation, 
stimulates the secretions, purifies the blood, and restores the healthy functions 
of all the organs. The great object of every patient should be to diffuse the 
water, and to let it lie upon the system. This object is easily defeated ; as by 
using too much it determines, generally, to the kidneys, bowels, or skin, and is 
thrown out of the system, or to the nerves, producing distraction. It is desira¬ 
ble that enough should be used to make a sensible impression upon the first 
named organs; but such is its tendency to escape through these organs, with 
some patients, that agents known to possess a restraining influence must be 
used. On the other hand, where those organs are torpid, other agents must be 
used to excite them, and thereby to invite the water to them. 

Science, enlightened by experience, will always be needed to conduct their 
use to the highest results in some cases; yet, in general, there is common sense 
enough in the mass of sufferers, if guided by a little plain instruction, (such as 
ought to be posted up at every watering-place, on each bed-room door,) to 






15 


manage their own cases, and to secure relief from conditions of suffering other¬ 
wise hopeless. 

From what I have seen, and from evidence the most unquestionable, I am of 
the opinion that for highly diseased conditions of the liver, and for chronic- 
rheumatism, the hot springs have no equal. For relief to the whole circle ©f 
“chronic” ills, the Alleghany springs are rich in promise, and wonderful in 
success. 

The springs of the middle, or Blue Ridge range, are returning multitudes of 
joyful beneficiaries to their friends every year, made whole by their untold virtues. 

Until lately it has not been known abroad that in the springs of the eastern 
range such a power had been infused by the hand of our Creator for the relief 
of suffering humanity. The geological belt out of which these springs gusli is 
a slightly elevated mountain range. On an average, its width is about twelve 
miles; its length is co-extensive with the Blue Ridge. And at the cluster of 
springs around the Fauquier White Sulphur, it is about midway between the 
Blue Ridge and the head of tide-water. 

This geological belt, for the salubrity of its climate, the natural fertility of its 
soil, the beauty of its landscape, and the bland and elegant manners of its 
inhabitants, has no superior. This range is based on lime, magnesia, iron,, 
copper, sulphur, alum, and coal. The springs of this range, at and around the 
Fauquier White Sulphur, for more than half a century have been giving relief 
to hopeless invalids, laboring under various forms of chronic suffering; and 
more hopeless cases were never relieved. The healing power of these waters 
upon those struggling cases, always created, for the time, a measure of aston¬ 
ishment, which nothing short of miraculous power could exceed. And yet 
these w r aters lay in neglect, and were scarcely known out of their immediate 
neighborhood, until that enterprising gentleman, Mr. Thomas Green, determined 
to make provision for the accommodation of the public, at what is now known 
as the Fauquier White Sulphur Springs. For beauty of design, and elegance 
of execution, this establishment has never been equalled at any watering-place 
in our country. 

For years the waters of this splendid establishment have been performing their 
wonders upon invalids, who have visited them in great numbers. Yet such has 
been the interest excited by this establishment as a place of fashionable resort, 
and such the neglect of medical science to use these waters as a therapeutic, 
and to ascertain their action and proclaim their virtues, that but little has bee« 
made known abroad of this wonderful treasure, and especially for the relief ©f 
the most numerous class of sufferers—(I mean dyspeptics.) In my opinion 
these waters are not inferior in potency for the relief of this form of suffering- 
to any which Providence has yet made known to us. And in addition to the 
sufferers of this class, those judged to be in consumption, (sympathetic, im 
doubt;) dropsical cases of the most hopeless type; kidney affections of most 
distressing form, and other cases of suffering, which, in the judgment ©;f 
scientific men, were incurable, have been speedily relieved by them. 

Now, my dear sir, can we contemplate such amazing manifestations of Di¬ 
vine goodness to our suffering race, as are to be seen in the various mineral 
waters of our State, without emotions of gratitude and praise ? But the power 
of these waters to prevent chronic disease is a source of still greater gratitude. 
From what is now known, no doubt need be entertained that our mineral watera 
do possess the power to invigorate, in a very short time, the languid systems ©F 
those who are yet in health, when by any means they have been made to part 
with too great an amount of vitalizing energy, and thereby to prevent the appall¬ 
ing amount of chronic suffering which now prevails in our country. These 
chronic derangements of the human system creep unperceived upon all ages* 
but especially upon the young during the plastic period of their existence. The 
old adage, “an ounce of preventive is worth a pound of cure,” never had a 


more appropriate application than in this case. Now, the judicious use by our 
sons and daughters of these mineral waters lor one, two, or three weeks, during the 
time of their summer vacations, and the same thing by their parents, guardians, 
or teachers, whose energies may have been overtaxed by care and business, 
would do more than all other things together to lessen the amount of chronic 
suffering, and to give to the world a more perfect development of intellectual 
and moral wealth. 

These fountains are almost at our doors—not diffused, indeed, through every 
neighborhood ; but, what is far better, clustered together, with all their variety of 
virtue, in each geographical division of our State, so that all can easily reach 
them, and pleasantly superadd to their physical benefits the social and refining 
influences which spring from elegant society. And in this is presented to the 
mind a peculiar provision of the Almighty, to be seen nowhere else, as it de¬ 
signed to fall in with the benevolent object of the gospel, that ol uniting our race 
in love. For what is so calculated to unite those into whose hands the future 
destiny of the world is soon to pass, as early association t It not only assimilates, 
but binds together, and lays the foundation for future confidence and esteem, so 
essential in all social compacts. 

Our springs of the eastern range are within a day’s journey o all eastern 
Virginia, and if all of them were improved, would be sufficient ior their recep¬ 
tion ; and they are not more than two or three days’ travel from Boston and 
Augusta. 

Those of the middle range are equally near to middle Virginia and the north. 
And the Alleghany springs run into the great valley of the west, where facili¬ 
ties for reaching them are very extensive, and will soon be perfected. 

There is one reflection connected with this display of the Divine metcy which 
is painful—it is this: invalids of limited means are virtually excluded from the 
benefit. At the Alleghany and Blue Ridge springs, ten dollars per week are paid 
for board only ; and five dollars per week I saw advertised as the price oi the water 
to all persons who did not board in that establishment. How many other pro¬ 
prietors sell the water to invalids—and if they do, at what prices—I know not. 
Now, as a style of elegant accommodation and most sumptuous living are fur¬ 
nished at the Fauquier White Sulphur, at about one-third less than at the other 
springs; and as the water is free to ail, without reference to the humble cottage 
or stately palace in which they may find repase; and as the proprietors are 
handsomely remunerated annually for their investment, it is *to be hoped that with 
profit to the proprietors of other springs, the number of beneficiaries may be 
increased by a reduction of the expense that has been paid heretofore. 

No w, sir, if you could be impressed with a sense ol the value of these waters 
to the hopeless invalids of the world, and of the ignorance which prevails as to 
the right method of using them, so as to obtain their benefit, it would fill you 
with ^astonishment. Cases the most hopeless, which even baffled scientific 
skill, have been speedily cured by the impirical use ol them: and yet that very 
science and skill know nothing of them as a therapeutic, although gushing out 
and performing their wonders in full view. 

Some of the proprietors in the Alleghany range have commenced an annual 
publication' of remarkable cases cured, for the information and encouragement 
of the afflicted. I have solicited a statement of some cases cured at the Fau¬ 
quier White Sulphur, which I am confident, if faithfully reported, will compare 
with any on the calendar of despair. 

The proprietor of every spring ought to publish prominent cases of rebel 
every year. This would invite the superintending care of science in the ad¬ 
ministration, and more speedily apprize the world of the immense value of these 
waters. 

With Christian regard, I am yours, 

TH. STRINGFELLOW. 











































# 
































X 8 9» 






(J * \ 


N c a t' 


■r •>* V ** 

■ O 0 * 


A 
v 

O = Jy 0 


c 


-A 

' <\> 
0 <j- .A v 

z rX ‘ y 

\ 

<* 

0 

& ^ 

7 / 
0 1 

O 

T> 

* V * 8 * 




* <** <*4 


* 4 rT. 

•V fT* 'cf» S' 

, ' , 4 - ^ •' ' 

O ^ ^ x o,^ 

/t+ » 1 y s s*^ 

Ay. v \ 




AA 


- ^ 

•*a ts •+ s', C.V - 0 k5 A 

°”'V.\ 1 ‘ .„_ s' ^-.i, C 

’<• °o ** 

* * >,. / «,' 

‘ *0 o 


^ n.0 


o 5 ^ 

kv "V< 





(. * i. N Q.* ry y x w j * p>J C ‘ 

- . , % * • ' ' ’• f s ‘ • ■• > , 'A * • « • V\ - »> % 

fi 2 St * - 'P „ ^ y _ .aO- »- o. * < 



/V 


** *7^ 


s> A .cll c %°% J "”° c py*''-’ 

. ©O' » A 

rV V l 


a * 


* ^ -s. 1 

■* v ® ^ 

^ o x 0 O tv 
\ -*K • 

.' o o \ 

’ -'° \‘*n>*’ ^ 

\ v ^ - O V- s 

A* , v 



7 -i 


^ -n*. 

o> \' ^ 

' ,#‘ ' 
v\''"'« "> 

■<• v, ,v *vsas,'. 

2 • * f L -»VNV» 

V* ^ ° 4 //"AiVvF " 

> V * A 

- v J 




'At^V ° 0 

* * ■> <Cr 



** 


> <<■? * -v 

^ S' -i 'J' ^ / •> Q. v 

y 0 , X ^ X \ A K , ^ * * S s ^0 , . v 

r X * * ^ ^ c 0 ° ♦ K' * V 6 * sV 

' . X -i y> .-Jk «. rsfy f ,*0 V -tf -O, J.V 

^ A \ *s ° ^ + 'r , 

A ^ r « oo N - ^ v ° 

s v 

’» <, r ,f° v . 0 % '•!'* -^ ... *■*. *=»o’ .,o- c o 

>) S" ” (71 

4 ... .. 1 ' ^ „$L 


® ,\V cA ^ ^ 

<• •■s v ‘ •% • i 

A 


^7 © ^0 Cy, 

^ x * * ; **> ^ 0T0 ^ / C 0 

x S lyO*/ > & A Y 6 0 / ^ 

<> b « ^<ssSs^///Jl 7 


1 " <V - 

4 ^ 'K, * ^UrV^r * 

.A .’TV /, c > 


4 - y 


- x * < 

0 

6 ^ -Vf, y 1 / 

°- "'1'”- s ' <^’ V , ,, <v*'o.i'*'.A 'O, '"/TT"' ■ 

C° ' ’ 1! * y % oA' c “ ~ ‘ * ^O, , 0 ' 

0 * ^ 4 ^,V' ■ 0 

“ ^ K 0 ' ,J o n'C 

* « vJV-p o ^ VJ 1 

^ Oo - ii -u ■ 

C>. v' v'^y, ♦. > , 0 V »’••#■ V V »'**'•*' 

«. ,-r Ay.v v .v, 

•%. x s . A\M ° ^ ^ - 

z z 



-A 

> *<p .y x> 

’ •%'='% •%W‘* - 

v «* . "'V * A ^ * 

» ->•'*« ^ a' c 0 "'* '*o. ** u . , 

* jc-S-SNx . ^ O 0° %. V 



oV 5 ° 




-f ^ ^ - 

r. ^ o' 
: &°« 



^ \ * v * ^ ^ 

s s . 1 » y 0 * x 

.0" * <iV ^ 


^ V 

o 0 X 




* 4 T*. * * k 0 o 

y ^ <kjjV VO> 2 \ y<V 

% ^’V J ... \ 

C> V x' /|J^ ^ A° k A X&0 /- 

^ ^ ,S> *? S'S&g-' 


^ ^ - 

X. t' a.- 

; v 
' v^<V : , 
a o ^T^Ts av 



c ✓ > - 

0 - ^ ^ 0 
^ A' ^ 





^ r, 


* 0 > </> 

A, ,\v V. " 

A " ^ * 

v A <y * 

















* <p. 



o 

* -•?> V “> 

sX \ o N 0 */£_ v * * s . „ <\. y 0 * X * <\ 

- W* • c j^> o 0 °■ v* l V_% ^ 


e> 


X V "^> 



^ S v^ ' ^\AV 

> ° flj 

r\ * ' 1 ^sy/IPj& v \^ ^ ' ^ll\NNSvsi5> ° ^ C ^‘ 

N 0 > V r o *" * ' M " ,>^ X V V V . ^■■'.•> T o <) c , * 

% > ’~°V ' 

>* v *■ - 4 * r " 

' <p 



.**' .<■” N '■ * 



'tP <^V i > 

■^v "_ Vi Jv « $ <<. o 

Vj^ * * \* ytf- 

c * * * *> * 4 ^- ■ - <!* 

<> O 
<*■ 


«j> V 

V A - 

v' ^ • 



_ •* n , ^ '\ 

,-, t i u 0 tx K * * 

0 V , <* v 8 * <o 


"a % y 

< \ /^ ^ - V" 

a\ o N c . '/* « o s s * 4 '-^ 

^ * ■ V ^ c^Nx * f 0 v x 

S’; xO © a ^ 






“ r <>* V 

* o O' 


\ ' a 1 ' <1* y ft A _ *■ 

1 * S s * * . *>. * 0 N 0 ’ ^ 0 - '© * , 

v ^ S ^ °^ 

v, *■ * .i* .V^ v « js 4 

° - S ^ ^ ^ ^ "o S ,# * 


s> 



«% $ ■"-% 



o t p «V 

S . A . „ - * * ^ 

<* y„ . -k .\ ^ ' - ,^*<jW** r % ^. v 

■ 'V V 0 N C ^ / » ft S S ^0 ,, 

SS an ° 0° S 

^ -< +A* o 



^ * 

r p y <, 

v \^ V M0> 

\* x ■ r J, S 



s 

^ v 


* <\V <p^ 

" C^'SS “ ^ ^ V 

<\. J 0 « X "* \ A t. 

* . <?> , A' c 0 c « 

5,% S aV 






z: 



o 








•, X. *"'*, 

/ * r ^\ S S! 


«. A » .A 

.-0‘‘ 


cP'^XL'x X .»- . 

; 'x' : 4 ^'- • 

^ X "■» ’ ,* .o -' °- *• 

> 3 '*° .0^ » 

** 


-\V <P 
AV <j 



A ,\ X A V 

a\ ,oNc 4 ^ '«a s ,;0 

■A^ X ^ ^ ♦, S r 0^ s< 





'O •v ^ # a N 

■•A X v> 

Cil * ^ 


P!* 4 ^'- 



x, j. 1 


s\» n «4 SS* #sS -^° 

Sr r ° 


r> '^, 

As 

<v 

o xP 

/ ^ 

5 X 

-J 


s 

Y. 

O 

^ oV P 

n<< 





^ = x 00 ^ 

>» 


u 

<J> 

✓ 

V .>^ V *N 

^ o 0 X 

tr 

S ' , “" ^ V , "*’/V-,\"'"'\' 

i % / :m*- \ ,# 

























